Flashlight with battery adapter

ABSTRACT

An example apparatus embodiment includes a flashlight operable from a primary electric storage battery and from another battery having an external casing that has a different outer diameter and possibly a different overall length than the primary battery. In some embodiments, a battery adapter extends a battery compartment to hold a longer substitute battery. In other embodiments a batter adapter holds a battery with a dimension, for example a diameter of the battery case, that is too large to allow the battery to slide into the battery compartment. Another example embodiment includes a battery adapter without a flashlight.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments are related to handheld flashlights powered from one or moreelectric storage batteries held in a battery compartment within theflashlight.

BACKGROUND

A handheld flashlight may be powered by one or more electric storagebatteries enclosed in a battery compartment inside the body of theflashlight. When the flashlight is turned on, electrical energy storedin the batteries is converted to light energy by a light emitter such asan incandescent bulb, light emitting diode (LED), or fluorescent bulb.The batteries, light emitter, and an electrical switch may be connectedin a series electrical circuit. Some flashlights include an electricalcircuit for dimming the light output from the flashlight or causinglight to be emitted in a flashing pattern.

Some flashlights use high-capacity batteries such as lithium batteries,nickel metal hydride batteries, or other high-capacity batterytechnologies. High-capacity batteries may use a different battery casingto distinguish the batteries from zinc-carbon, alkaline, andrechargeable batteries.

A flashlight adapted to hold a lithium battery or other high-capacitybattery may have a battery compartment that is the wrong internaldiameter and possibly the wrong internal length for accepting anothertype of battery. If a battery of the correct size and shape is notavailable when the high-capacity battery needs to be replaced, theflashlight may be incapable of producing a useful amount of light untilthe correct replacement battery is located. It may be more difficult toobtain new high capacity batteries than carbon-zinc or alkalinebatteries in remote areas, after normal business hours, or during anemergency.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment includes a flashlight body. The flashlight bodyincludes a light emitter coupled to the flashlight body and a batterycompartment formed as an internal cavity of the flashlight body. Thebattery compartment may be formed with an internal diameter sized foracceptance of a primary battery. A first contact surface may be formedat an end of the battery compartment.

The example embodiment further includes a battery adapter. The batteryadapter includes a first end having a second contact surface coupled tothe first contact surface of the battery compartment; a second endopposite the first end, the second end of the battery adapter formedwith a third contact surface sized for coupling to the second contactsurface; and an aperture passing through the first end and the secondend of the battery adapter, the aperture formed with a diameter sizedfor a sliding fit of a substitute battery. The example embodimentfurther includes an an end cap coupled to the second end of the batteryadapter.

Another example embodiment includes a battery adapter for a flashlightbody. The example battery adapter includes a first contact surface neara first end of the battery adapter, the first contact surface adaptedfor securely coupling to a corresponding contact surface on a flashlightbody; a second contact surface at an end opposite the first end, thesecond contact surface adapted for securely coupling to the firstcontact surface on another of the battery adapter; and an aperturepassing through the first end and the second end of said batteryadapter. The aperture may be sized for a sliding fit of a substitutebattery.

In some embodiments, the primary battery has a battery case with alarger diameter and/or a shorter length than the battery case of thesubstitute battery. In other embodiments, the primary battery has asmaller diameter and/or a longer length thn the battery case of thesubstitute battery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an example apparatus embodiment including aflashlight with a removable battery adapter interposed between theflashlight body and the endcap.

FIG. 2 shows a view toward a first end of the example flashlight of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 shows a view toward a second end of the example flashlight ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the example embodiment of FIG. 1 with theexample battery adapter removed.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an example battery adapter.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the example battery adapter of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view A-A of the example flashlightembodiment with the battery adapter interposed between the flashlightbody back segment and the endcap, and further showing an example of asubstitute battery in the battery compartment and battery adapter.

FIG. 8 is an alternative cross-sectional view A′-A′ with the batteryadapter removed and an example of a primary high-capacity batteryenclosed within the battery compartment.

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view B-B of an example battery adapterhaving threaded contact surfaces.

FIG. 9B is an alternative cross-sectional view B′-B′ of an examplebattery adapter having contact surfaces sized for a close fit tocorresponding contact surfaces on a flashlight body or on anotherbattery adapter.

FIG. 10 is a side view of two example electric storage batteriescompatible with the example embodiment of FIG. 1 (Prior Art).

FIG. 11 is an end view of the two example batteries of FIG. 10, furtherillustrating an example internal diameter of the flashlight body in anexample embodiment.

FIG. 12 is another alternative cross-sectional view A″-A″ of an exampleflashlight embodiment with more than one battery adapter interposedbetween the flashlight body and the end cap and more than one substitutebattery.

FIG. 13 is another alternative cross-sectional view A′″-A′″ showing abattery adapter coupled to an outer surface of the flashlight body andan example primary battery that is longer and smaller diameter than thesubstitute battery held by the battery adapter.

DESCRIPTION

Some example embodiments include a flashlight operable from a primarybattery retained with a battery compartment formed in the flashlightbody and from a substitute battery retained in the battery compartmentand slidably engaging with a battery adapter attached to an end of theflashlight body. Other example embodiments include a battery adapterhaving an aperture sized for a sliding fit of a substitute battery.Embodiments are advantageous for replacement of a primary battery with asubstitute battery having a different diameter than the primary batteryand possibly a different length than the primary battery.

A primary battery may be a high-capacity electric storage battery suchas, but not limited to, a lithium battery, a nickel metal hydridebattery, and a high capacity alkaline battery. Examples of a substitutebattery include, but are not limited to, a zinc carbon battery, analkaline battery, and a rechargeable battery. A new high-capacitybattery stores more ampere-hours of electrical energy than a newzinc-carbon battery of comparable size.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an example handheld flashlight embodiment.The example embodiment 100 includes a flashlight 102 having a body 104coupled to an optional battery adapter 112 and an end cap 106. When theflashlight is turned on, possibly by operation of a power switch 130,light shines out of a first end 136 of the flashlight. In someembodiments, the flashlight may be turned on by rotation of a frontsegment 104A of the flashlight body relative to a back segment 104B. Insome embodiments the front segment 104A is separable from the backsegment 104B. The front segment 104A and back segment 104B mayalternatively be formed as an integral unit.

Batteries are retained inside the battery compartment by the end cap 106at a second end 138 of the body 104. When the flashlight is to beoperated with a substitute battery, the battery adapter 112 is attachedto the flashlight between the second end 138 of the body 104 and the endcap 106. The battery adapter may optionally have an outer dimension 148that matches an outer dimension 146 of the body 104. In someembodiments, the battery adapter holds a substitute battery that has alarger diameter than the diameter of the primary battery and istherefore larger than the outer dimension of the flashlight body. Whenthe body 104 is formed as a cylinder, the outer dimension 146 is adiameter of the cylinder. The body may alternatively be formed with apolygonal surface, for example one or more flat surfaces to prevent theflashlight from rolling when placed on another surface.

FIG. 2 shows an example view toward the first end 136. A light emitter110 is visible behind an optional transparent window 108. FIG. 3 shows aview toward the end cap 106 at the second end 138 of the flashlight 102.In the example of FIG. 1, the end cap, battery adapter, and flashlightbody couple to one another by the engagement of threaded contactsurfaces. The contact surfaces may alternatively be adapted for a closesliding fit or a snap fit.

FIG. 4 shows an example embodiment 100 arranged for operation with aprimary battery. When the primary battery is being used to power theflashlight, the end cap 106 is attached directly to the body 104, andthe battery adapter is omitted.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of an example battery adapter 112 having anouter housing 113. In the example embodiment of FIG. 5, a first end ofthe battery adapter is formed with an external thread 115 selected toengage with a corresponding internal thread on the flashlight body andwith the internal thread 116 on another battery adapter 112. An internalthread 116 is formed near the second end opposite the externallythreaded end. An aperture passes through the battery adapter from thefirst end to the second end. In some embodiments, an optional hollowsleeve 114 has an inner diameter 124 that is slightly larger than theexternal diameter of a substitute battery, giving a sliding fit of thesubstitute battery. The hollow sleeve 114 may have an outer diameter 123matching an inner diameter 150 of the battery compartment in the body104 of the flashlight 102. FIG. 6 shows a view toward the internallythreaded end of the battery adapter example of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross section A-A representing an example of a substitutebattery 132 in the battery compartment 142 of the flashlight body 104.The substitute battery 132 may slidably engage the hollow sleeve 114 inthe battery adapter 112. The battery adapter holds the battery inposition for a terminal 140 on the battery to make electrical contactwith a battery contact terminal 126 in the body 104. The substitutebattery 132 may be too long to be contained within the batterycompartment 142. The battery adapter may extend the length of thebattery compartment 142, with the substitute battery passing through thebattery adapter to contact a battery terminal contact spring 128attached to the end cap 106.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative cross sectional view A′-A′ of the exampleflashlight embodiment 102. In the example of FIG. 8, a primary battery134 slides into the battery compartment 142 with the terminal 140 on thebattery in contact with the terminal 126 in the body 104. The end cap106 is directly engaged with the body 104, the battery adapter havingbeen omitted from the flashlight body.

FIG. 9A shows a cross-sectional view B-B of the example battery adapter112 of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The internal diameter 124 of the hollow sleeve114 fits closely into an aperture formed in the battery adapter 112. Insome embodiments the sleeve is formed as an integral part of the batteryadapter. The sleeve may alternatively be omitted and the internalaperture in the battery adapter formed with an aperture having adiameter 124 corresponding to the outer diameter of a substitutebattery. An exterior contact surface 150 is adapted to couple to acorresponding interior contact surface 152 on another battery adapter oron a flashlight body.

FIG. 9B shows an alternative cross-sectional view B′-B- having anexterior contact surface 150 and an interior contact surface 152 adaptedfor securely coupling with corresponding surfaces on another batteryadapter or on a flashlight body. The secure coupling may be implementedas a close sliding fit between the surfaces or by a snap fit betweenjoined parts.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a comparison between a length 122 of abattery casing for a primary battery 134 and a length 118 of a batterycasing for a substitute battery 132. FIG. 11 shows an example of acomparison between the diameter 120 of a battery casing for a primarybattery and the diameter 124 of a battery casing for a substitutebattery. The diameter 120 of the primary battery further represents aminimum inner diameter 144 of the battery compartment 142. In an exampleembodiment, the primary battery 134 has a casing size corresponding to aCR123 lithium battery and the substitute battery 132 has a casing sizecorresponding to an AA alkaline, zinc carbon, or rechargeable battery.In another example embodiment, the primary battery is a D size batteryand the substitute battery is a C size battery. In another exampleembodiment, the primary battery size is CR123 and the substitute batterysize is AAA. It will be appreciated that many other size combinationsare within the scope of the disclosed embodiments, with the primarybattery 134 generally having a different length and/or diameter than thesubstitute battery 132.

FIG. 12 shows another alternative cross-sectional view A″-A″ in whichmore than one battery adapter 112 has been interposed between the body104 and end cap 106. More than one battery adapter 112 may be used whenmore than one substitute battery 132 has been used to replace a primarybattery.

FIG. 13 shows another alternative cross-sectional view A′″-A′″ in whichthe primary battery 134 has a smaller diameter and a greater length thanthe substitute battery 132. The battery adapter may be arranged tocouple to an exterior surface of the flashlight body as shown in thefigure.

Unless expressly stated otherwise herein, ordinary terms have theircorresponding ordinary meanings within the respective contexts of theirpresentations, and ordinary terms of art have their correspondingregular meanings.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a flashlight body,comprising: a light emitter coupled to said flashlight body; a batterycompartment formed as an internal cavity of said flashlight body, saidbattery compartment formed with an internal diameter sized foracceptance of a primary battery; and a first contact surface at an endof said battery compartment; a battery adapter, comprising: a first endcomprising a second contact surface coupled to said first contactsurface of said battery compartment; a second end opposite said firstend, said second end formed with a third contact surface sized forcoupling to said second contact surface; and an aperture passing throughsaid first end and said second end of said battery adapter, saidaperture formed with a diameter sized for a sliding fit of a substitutebattery; and an end cap coupled to said second end of said batteryadapter.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first contact surfaceis an internally threaded surface, said second contact surface is anexternally threaded surface threadably engaged with said first contactsurface, and said third contact surface is an internally threadedsurface threadably engaged with said end cap.
 3. The apparatus of claim1, wherein said first contact surface is an externally threaded surface,said second contact surface is an internally threaded surface threadablyengaged with said first contact surface, and said third contact surfaceis an externally threaded surface threadably engage with said end cap.4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first contact surface on saidbattery compartment and said second contact surface on said batteryadapter couple to one another with a snap fit.
 5. The apparatus of claim1, said battery adapter further comprising a housing having an outerdiameter matching an outside diameter of said flashlight body.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, said battery adapter further comprising a hollowsleeve having an inner diameter selected for a sliding fit of saidsubstitute battery.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said hollowsleeve engages said battery adapter with a close sliding fit.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein said hollow sleeve is integrally formedwith said battery adapter.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidinternal diameter of said battery compartment is greater than said innerdiameter of said battery adapter.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid battery adapter comprises a first battery adapter, and furthercomprising a second battery adapter interposed between said firstbattery adapter and said end cap.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, furthercomprising a plurality of said battery adapter interposed between saidfirst battery adapter and said end cap.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said primary battery contacts a battery terminal in said batterycompartment when said battery adapter is omitted and said substitutebattery contacts said battery terminal when said battery adapter isinterposed between said flashlight body and said end cap.
 13. A batteryadapter for a flashlight body, comprising: a first contact surface neara first end of said battery adapter, said first contact surface adaptedfor securely coupling to an corresponding contact surface on saidflashlight body; a second contact surface at an end opposite said firstend, said second contact surface adapted for securely coupling to saidfirst contact surface on another of said battery adapter; and anaperture passing through said first end and said second end of saidbattery adapter.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, said battery adapterfurther comprising a housing having an outer diameter matching anoutside diameter of said flashlight body.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10,said battery adapter further comprising a hollow sleeve having an innerdiameter selected for a sliding fit of a substitute battery.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein said hollow sleeve engages said batteryadapter with a close sliding fit.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, whereinsaid hollow sleeve is integrally formed with said battery adapter. 18.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said hollow sleeve is formed with aninner diameter selected for a sliding fit of a primary battery.